Date: 2018-03-27

Former richest man in the world and philanthropist, Bill Gates has revealed the role played by the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki in combating polio in Nigeria.

Gates stated this on Thursday, at the Expanded National Economic Council, presided over by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. He, also discussed Sustainable Health Financing and Strengthening Primary Healthcare in Nigeria during a breakfast meeting held with Saraki and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote at the Senate President’s office.

At the breakfast meeting, Gates appreciated the former Kwara State Governor for his contribution to combating polio as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) - stating that Saraki's intervention through the NGF in 2009 marked the critical "turning point" in combating polio in Nigeria.

However, Gates lamented that Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places to give birth in the world. According to him, Nigeria is only the fourth worst maternal mortality rate in the world ahead of only Siera Leone, Central African republic and Chad.

Also present at the meeting was Country Director, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr Pulin Basinga. Others are Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and some senators.